Esports, the world of competitive video gaming, is rapidly entering the mainstream, with an estimated audience of 495 million people and an industry projected to reach $1.5 billion in revenue by 2020. The industry encompasses top gaming communities, including multiplayer online battle arena games such as League of Legends and Dota 2, first-person shooter games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Overwatch, as well as digital collectible card games such as Hearthstone, and Fortnite, a battle royale game that has gained enormous popularity among younger players. The gaming communities offer a unique gaming experience and culture, and are key players in esports.

Inside the World of Esports: A Look at the Top Gaming Communities

Esports, the world of competitive video gaming, is quickly becoming mainstream. With an estimated audience of 495 million people, the industry is expected to reach $1.5 billion in revenue by 2020. While the industry is still evolving, many players and communities have emerged as leaders in the space. Here is a look at some of the top gaming communities in esports:

League of Legends

League of Legends, also known as LoL, is one of the most popular esports games globally. The game is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players compete in teams. The game has over 100 million active players and is known for its engaging gameplay and complex strategy. The esports community around the game is also incredibly active, with numerous competitions and leagues taking place globally.

Dota 2

Dota 2 is another MOBA game that has a strong esports community. The game was developed by Valve Corporation and has a prize pool that reaches millions of dollars annually. The game has two teams of five players each that compete to destroy the other team’s base. The esports community for Dota 2 is also incredibly active, with numerous tournaments taking place all over the world.

Overwatch

Overwatch is a first-person shooter game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The game has gained massive popularity in the esports world since its launch in 2016. The game features a variety of characters with unique abilities that players use to compete in teams of six. Overwatch has also taken steps to be inclusive in the esports world, featuring both male and female players and a diverse cast of characters.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or CS:GO, is a first-person shooter game developed by Valve Corporation. The game has been around since 1999 but gained popularity in the esports community in the early 2010s. The game features two teams of five players that compete in a variety of game modes. The game is known for its tactical gameplay and is one of the most popular esports games globally.

Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a digital collectible card game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The game has gained popularity in the esports world due to its accessibility and the complexity of strategy involved. The game features numerous cards with unique abilities that players use to compete against each other. The game has a large esports community, with numerous tournaments and leagues taking place globally.

Fortnite

Fortnite is a battle royale game developed by Epic Games. The game has gained massive popularity in the past few years, especially among younger players. The game has a unique building mechanic that allows players to create structures to protect themselves and gain an advantage in battles. Fortnite has also taken steps to be inclusive in the esports world, featuring both male and female players and a diverse cast of characters.

Conclusion

As the esports industry continues to grow, these gaming communities are likely to remain leaders in the space. Each community offers a unique gaming experience and culture that has helped them gain a passionate following. If you are looking to get involved in esports, these communities are a great place to start.